Barge or other boat.



PATENTED FEB. '7, 1905.

J. S. MARTIN.

BARGE 0R OTHER BOAT.

APPLIoATIoN FILED ooT.2.19oa.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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witnesses @Mommy PATENTED FEB. '7, 1905.

J. S. MARTIN.

BARGE 0R OTHER BOAT. APPLICATION FILED ooT.2.19o3.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Witnesses PATENTED FEB. '7, N05.'

J. S. MARTIN.

BARGE OR OTHER BOAT.

APPLIUATION FILED ooT;2,1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

a J 5. y//a 'f2/z Wi (means lUNTTED STATES Patented February '7, 1905r JAMES S. MARTIN, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

BARGE OR OTHER BOAT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 782,153, dated February 7', 1905.

Application tiled October 2, 1903. Serial No, 175,445.

To /d/ [f7/.om it 'muy con/cera.-

Be it known that I, JAMES S. MARTIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful lmprovements in Barges or other Boats, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a pressed-steel barge or boat and contemplates an improvement on the barge or boat disclosed in my application for Letters Patent of the United States tiled September 9, 1903, Serial No. lLll-f.

'lhe present improvement includes in its organization a series of pressed-steel plates, ribs, and strengthening devices and wherein the bottom ribs are either disposed in longi tudinal relation alone or combined in some instances with intersecting transverse bottom ribs and side ribs disposed as in the construction disclosed by the foregoing' application. The arrangement of the bottom ribs longitudinally of the barg'e or boat is preferable in some constructions and uses, and, as will be hereinafter specified, said bottom ribs may be of any contour adapted for the purpose. By the use of long'itudinal ribs any tendency to compression or strain due to endwise pressure is resisted.

The desirable lightness of the structure andv reduction of tendency to leakage and springing of the several joints is present in the improved construction, and the capability of arranging the barg'e or boat for heavy or lighter work may also be obtained.

ln the drawings, Figure l is a top plan view of a barge embodying the improved features of the invention and shown broken through at its central portion. Fig. .2 is a transverse vertical section through the form of barge shown by Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2, illustrating the use of aditferent form of rib. Fig. i is a transverse vertical section through the barge, showing the employment of a cross-girder which may be used at regu- 3 having' a reinforce. Figs. 6, T, and 8 are detail horizontal sections through a portion of the side of the barge, showing the use of different lforms of ribs. Fig. 9 is a detail transverse section of a portion of the barge, showing the longitudinal ribs of one form intersecting' transverse ribs of a similar or any other contour. Fig'. 1l) is a detail cross-section of an inverted-U-shaped rib having a securing-flange arranged for attachment to an intersecting rib. Fig. ll is a detail longitudinal section of a portion ofthe bottom of the barge, showing the rib struck up to form a seat fora filler-strip which is disposed over the joint of the shtaithing-plates to simplify the assemblage of the several parts and reduce the labor incident to the completion of a tight joint. Fig. l2 is a transverse vertical section through a portion of the side of the barge, showing a modilication in the arrangement of the upper end of the sheathing.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The essential feature of the present improvement is the use of longitudinally-disposed ribs of any contour desired in the bottom of the barge or boat. ln sonne instances, as will be hereinafter clearly set forth, the longitudinal ribs may be intersected at intervals by and secured to transverse bottom ribs of a reinforcing nature.

Referring to Figs. l and 2, the barge or boat is made up of a series of longitiulinallydisposed bottom ribs l of Z shape and side ribs 2 of similar or any other preferred contour which are formed with lower elbows 3, having' their terminals secured to the outermost longitiulinal ribs l. A sheathing i is applied over the outer portions of the. bottom ribs 1 and side ribs 2, and consists of a series of steel plates having' overlapped secured edges 5. The lower Vflanges of the ribs l are secured to the several plates, and the outer flanges of the ribs Q are similarly fastened to the plates constituting' the side portions of the sheathing. The ribs l are preferably arranged to have the upper iianges thereof from the longitudlnal center of the barge projected outwardly toward the opposite sides of the latter, and this can be readily accomplished when an even number of bottom ribs are used. If an odd number of ribs is necessary in conipleting the bottom structure of the barge, they will be arranged as near as possible in the same manner as an even number of ribs. The side ribs 2 will also be preferably disposed to have their inner flanges projected from-the transverse center of the barge outwardly toward opposite ends of the latter, though this construction is not particularly essential in relation to the side ribs; but when the ribs are so disposed it gives uniformity to the general arrangement. At the opposite sides of the bottom the plates have a single arcuate contour, as at 6, and continue into the side portions of the sheathing, and the lower terminals of the side ribs 2 conform in curvature to the opposite lower portions of the bottom sheathing and are secured to the adjacent ribs 1 by anges 7, the lower ends of said ribs 2 extending under the upper flanges of the ribs 1. The side portions of the sheathing are continued over the upper ends of the ribs 2 by bending to provide a Hat margin or edge 8 of such extent as to permit the practical application of pumps and other attachments commonly found in barge constructions. The longitudinal ribs 1 at the ends of the barge will be struck up or curved by bending to give the barge the proper shape at its opposite extremities.

Fig. 3 shows a modification in the form of the ribs, the bottom longitudinal ribs 9 being of channel contour with their flanges projected inwardly toward the longitudinal center of thebarge. The side ribs 10 are also of a like contour or they may be of the same shape as the ribs 1 and 2, heretofore described. The remaining features of construction shown by Fig. 3 are similar to those shown by Figs. 1 and 2, and like referencenumerals are applied thereto.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate means for reinforcing the barge at regular intervals, and consists of a cross-girder 11, Fig. 4, struck up at the ends to form seats 12 for the reception of the lower terminals of side ribs 13 of similar contour. The ribs 11 and 13 have base-flanges 14, which are secured against the sheathing 4, and the lower portions of the seats 12 are elevated to tit over the flanges of the lower terminals of the ribs 13. Intersecting and attached to the girder 11 and ribs 13 are longitudinal ribs 15, which are shown as having the same contour as the ribs illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2, though it will be understood that any form of ribs having a suitable contour may be substituted for the rib of Z shape. At the points where the ribs 15 pass through the girder 11 and ribs 13 flanges 16 are formed, which are riveted to the girder and ribs 13. The girder 11 and ribs 13 are shown as having materially greater dimensions than the ribs 15 for the purpose of giving additional strength to the structure. It will be understood in this connection, however, that the proportions may be varied at will, and in some constructions the ribs 15 and side ribs may be of the same size and the girder 11 may be a rib of the same dimensions as the ribs 15. In Fig. 5 the same principle is embodied as in Fig. 4, with the difference that side ribs 17 are used with materiallyenlarged lower extremities 18, the said ribs having flanges 19 secured against the sheathing 4. The longitudinal ribs 20 in this instance are of channel shape, and the outermost ones of said ribs intersect and pass through the lower enlarged extremities 18 of the ribs 17 and have securing-flanges 21 attached to said extremities. The lower terminals of the ribs 17 are secured or held in close contact against the longitudinal ribs 2() next to the outermost ribs, and the extremities 18 of the ribs 17 are connected by a cross-bracing rib or girder 22, which terminally overlaps the said ribs and has a lower iiange construction 23, which bears upon and is attached to the upper anges of the ribs 2O between the lower terminals of the ribs 17. By this means the necessity of cutting through the girder 22 is avoided and the cost of construction materially reduced. The ribs 2O in this instance have auxiliary reinforcing-ribs 24 fitted therein to resist crushing strain and generally increase the durability and effectiveness of the said ribs 20. The ribs 20, like the ribs 15 and bottom ribs, (shown by Figs. 3 and 2,) are arranged in regular position in relation to the longitudinal center of the bar or so that the open sides thereof will be located inwardly as near as practical to so dispose them. rlhe remaining features of construction shown by Figs. 4 and 5, aside from the modifications noted, will be the same as illustrated by Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

Figs. 6 and 7 show horizontal sections of the side ribs to illustrate the use of dierent shapes and respectively embody a Z shape and a channel shape. r1`he contour of the side ribs may also be varied to an L shape, as shown by Fig. 8.

Fig. 9 shows a longitudinally-disposed Z- shaped rib 25 intersecting a similar or other shaped transverse rib 26, the portions of the latter bearing against the rib 25 being in the form of securing-flanges 27. The rib 26 also has a part of its base-liange structure 28 struck upwardly to fit snugly over the lower flange of the rib 25. The iianges 27 of the rib 26 are clearly shown by Fig. 10, and it will be observed that the rib 26 is of inverted-U shape to demonstrate that a further variation in the form of the several ribs used may be adopted.

Fig. 11 shows a construction for accommodating the application of the longitudinal ribs IOO IIO

throughout the sheathing 4, the lower portion or flange of' the ribs being struck up, as at 29, to provide a seat or embracing means f'or a filler-strip 30 or what is ordinarily known as a butt-strap used to cover the abutting' ends of' the plates. This particular construction avoids the use of a filler undei' the full length of the ribs and piovides f'or the formation ofl a practically ltight joint.

If' it is desired to cover or provide the upper portion of' the bai'ge with a deck, the uppei' extremity of the sheathing' 4 adjacent to the side i'ibs is bent outwardly to form a fender 31 (see Fig. l2) to support the said deck or cover. This fender will be continued around the upper portion of the bai'ge, and when the cover or deck is applied the strength of the barge construction will not be in the least deteriorated.

The means for seciii'ing' the ribs, sheathing, and other parts set forth may be vai'ied at will; but rivets will be preferably used and vai'iations may also be adopted in the kind of' rivets and the inode of' applying' the same. The mode of bending' the ribs and sheathing' whei'e necessary to give the bai'g'e or boat a proper shape will be of any of' the approved pressure methods. The gii'dei's or cross-braces will also be disposed in such manner as to avoid interference with the loading' and unloading operations ofthe barge. The stock used in the construction of' the barge will be formed in pi'opei' shape and quantities within certain scales pi'oportionate to the dimensions of' the barge to over a butt-joint or a number of' said joints l be constructed and after such initial preparation of' the stock barges of' different sizes can be expeditiously completed.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new isl. A barge formed from pressed steel having a series oflongitudinally-disposed bottom ribs, side ribs terminally attached to the outermost bottom ribs, the latter ribs having' upper flanges extending' over the lower ends of' the side ribs and a sheathing' secured to said ribs.

2. A pressed-steel barge composed of a series of bottom and side ribs, the bottom i'ibs being' arranged in planes at right ang'les to the side ribs and having' upper and lower angular flanges, cross-girders arranged at intervals and having enlarged terminals embracing portions of and secured to the side ribs, said gii'ders intei'secting' the longitudinal bottoni ribs and having the flanges of' the latter secured thereto, and sheathing-plates connected to the ribs.

3. A pi'essed-steel barge composed of' a series of' bottom and side ribs, liaving'end flanges, the bottom i'ibs being' disposed longitudinally, and an outer' sheathing' connected to said ribs and having' the upper terminal thereof' bent at an ang'le in relation to the upper extremities oil the ribs to provide a supporting means.

In testimony whereof' Iaffix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES S. B'IARTIN. lVitnesses:

CHAs. S. Hvnn, GEORGE M. BOND. 

